Table and book ledge



R. c. BURNLEY 2,040,077

TABLE AND BOOK LEDGE Filed Jun 25, 1954 sfsheets-sneet 1 M wm TABLE AND BooK LEDGE l 'Filed June 25, 19:54 3 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE 8 Claims.

duction off a sir-mole* and? efficient supporting standard for a book-engaging member or desk g whereby the desk may be adjusted vertically and 150 1 also the angle ofthe book-supporting member or desk-may be similarly adjusted.

A further object of this invention is the production of' a simple and e'ici'ent book-supporting desk'` which is so constructed'as to permit various 20 sizes of book-supporting panels or plates to be secured to the desk.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will' appear throughout the following speci'cation and claims. 25 In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a iront elevation of; the improved table and book ledge', certain parts being broken away andsho-wn in section;

Figure 2 isr a side elevation of the standard" 30- which supports the book ledge or desk illustrat` ing the reading desk supported upon the standard and also showing a portion of the standard supporting frame;

Figure 3fisf an enlarged vertical section through supporting standard illustrating the manner in which the adjustable section is mounted within the stationary section of the standard;

Figure 4 isa top plan View ofthe book ledge or MA desk, the lamp-supporting tray, as well as the supporting standard and a portion of. the standard. supporting. frame or table;

`Figure 5. is asection taken on line 5'-5' ot Figure 4;

45I Figurey Gis an enlarged bottom plan View ofthe book ledge' or desk and illustrating the lampsupporting tray and means for holding the desklad trayV in adjusted' angular relation;

Figure' 'T isa section taken on line 'IL-'I of 5w Figure 5;

` Figure'' is a section" taken on line 81-8of FigureI 5;

Figure'9 is an enlarged top plan view illustratingthe' book-clamping means carried along the et? lower'edge of the" book ledge or desk;

if a portion of the lower sectionA ofthe book ledge-Y (Cl. l15-82)v Figure 10 is an edge elevation of thebottom portion of the-bookledge or desk illustrating the manner of gripping the'lower edge oi a book for holding the book in position;

Figure 11 is asection taken on line II--I`I of 5 f Figure 9`;

Figure 12 is an edgeV elevationof` the lower edge of the book ledgeorreading desk showing the manner of mounting the lower section upon the upper section of the desk to accommodate 10i' diierent sized books; a portion of the lowerv sec--4 tion being broken away; s s

Figure 13 is a section taken on line I3-I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is an inverted perspectiveview ofthe` 15" upper section of the reading desk or book ledge;

a certain portion vof the book-clamping means" being shown in section.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that IIIV designates a table which comprises a base II whichiissupp'orted uponsuitable legs I2, The base I I. supports a plurality' of corner' standiards I3. which. standards inturn support a top I4 andan intermediate shelf. |51 An adjustable standard' I6 is carried by the table I0` and com- 25 prises a hollow internally threaded tubular base section II which is anchored upon. the base II through the medium of a socket member I8.l The base section,I'I comprises an elongated tu- 30 bular structure'which extends vertically through the center ofthe shelf I5 and also through the top I4, as shown in Figure 1, The base section Hf is externally threaded at its upper end and supports a cap I9 which cap I 8 carries a 35, thumb screw 20 for the purpose of engaging the adjustable shank 2 If of the standard IIB. The adjustable shank ZI isprovided with an enlarged lowerv end 22 `which carries an enlarged exter-V .nally` threaded head 23` engaging the 'internal' 40 threads 24` of the base section' I1, as shown in. FigureY 11. The adjustable shank 2l byY rotation' may be adjusted longitudinally of 'ther base section I1 to rais'e and'- lower. the shank'ZI to the position'shown in dotted lines in Figures land 45- 2 when desired. When the adjustment desiredV is obtained, the shank 2| may be locked in positio-n against rotation las Well as longitudinal adjustment through the medium of the locking screw' 2U. It is preferable that the table Ill may 50 be of suicient weight toproperly support the standardql and prevent the device from toppling over. One of the supporting legs extends laterall'yof the table, as indicated by the numeral' IZ for the' purpose of bracing the' table and 55 preventing the table from tipping over under the weight of the reading desk.

The adjustable shank 2| may be provided with spaced aperture 2|a arranged within the length of the shank 2| and a pin |1a, may extend through the base section |1 and through the aperture 2|a for locking and. rigidly holding the shank 2| in an adjusted or set position at a suitable height.

If so desired, the enlarged end 22 may constitute a portion of the shank 2| or may be formed integrally therewith and the threaded part 23 may also be formed as an integral portion without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The shank 2| of the standard |6 is provided With a laterally extending arm 25 at its upper end which arm 25 supports a lamp carrying tray 26. This lamp carrying tray 26, as is illustrated in detail in Figures 5 and 6 is provided upon the bottom thereof with a tubular supporting casing 21 through which the arm 25-extends. Fixed upon the arm 25 is a collar 28 which is engaged by an expansion coil spring 29 the oppositeend of the coil spring 29 contacting with the end wall 36 of the tubular supporting casing I 21. The Vcollar 28 carries a projecting pin 3| whichrworks in a longitudinally extending slot 32 formed at the bottom of the tubular casing 21, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In view of this structure, it will be seen that the lamp carrying tray 26 may be shifted from right to left for the purpose of compressing the coil spring 29 and drawing the locking arm 33 which is carried by the tubular supporting casing 21 out of adjustable engagement with the apertures 34 formed in the adjusting rack 35 of the book supporting desk 36 hereinafter described. The coil spring 29 is adapted to normally urge the tray 26 toward the right for the purpose of holding the locking arm 33 in an adjusted position with the rack 35. As shown in Figure 8, the adjusting apertures 34 in the rack 35 are pref'- erably arranged on the arc of a circle with the ;arm 25 acting as a pivot or bearing. In this way,

the angle adjustment of the book supporting desk 36 may be obtained by causing the arm 33 to selectively engage one of the apertures 34 of the rack 35.

The reading desk or book ledge 36 preferably comprises an anchored section 31 which is secured to the arm 25 by means of a supporting journal 38 and slidably mounted upon the anchored section 31 isl a laterally adjustable or l,sliding section 39 whereby the sections may be spread laterally to accommodate different width books or other matter to be supported upon the book ledge 36. The stationary section 31 is preferably provided with overturned flanges 46 under which t theedges of the adjustable section 39, as shown in Figure 4. The adjustable section 39 carries an adjusting sleeve 4| upon the bottom thereof which is slidably mounted upon the arm 25 and a suitable locking screw 42 is carried by the sleeve 4| for engaging the notches 43 in the arm 25 whereby the sections may be'locked in a selected adjusted position. The adjusting sleeve 4| is provided with an elongated slot 44 in which the locking screw 42 is mounted to hold the sleeve against longitudinal movement upon the arm 25 but at the same time permit a limited rotation of the reading desk or book ledge relative to the supporting arm 25 to permit of a proper angular adjustment to suit the convenience of the user. This angular adjustment, as previously described, may be obtained by shifting the lamp supporting tray 26 to the left and permitting a properv adjustment of the arm 33 in one of the selected apertures 34 of the rack 35. The sections 31 and 39 of the desk or book ledge are preferably formed of sheet metal and longitudinally of the sections are formed the intertting web portions 45 to reinforce and also to facilitate the convenient sliding of a section with respect to the other. Each of the sections 31 and 39 is provided along its side edge with an upstanding ange 46 carrying a longitudinally grooved track member 41, as shown in Figure 5. Should it be necessary to use a larger book supporting plate upon the desk or book ledge, an enlarged plate 48 may be employed, such as shown in Figure 12 and Figure 14, the enlarged plate having a depending casing 49 upon the bottom thereof with beaded rails 58 formed upon the side edges which are -f structed. The various parts of each clamp will be 1 referred to by the same reference character in view of the duplicate mechanical structure used in each instance. Each of these clamps is anchored in position by means of supporting members 54 of any suitable or desired structure, and each clamping member comprises an elongated base 55 carrying a hinging rod 56 which is journaled thereon, the hinging rod 56 having angularly bent fingers 51. Slidably mounted upon these angularly bent lingers 51 is an upper clamping bar 58 which clamping bar carries an operating handle 59. A retaining plate 6|] is carried by the front edge of the base 55 in each instance to constitute an abutment against which the clamping bar 58 may rest, and also to limit the swinging movement of the fingers 51. Coil springs 6| are connected to the ends of the base 55 and the adjustable clamping bar 58, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and normally draws the clamping section '58 tightly upon the base section 55 so as to cause the lower edge of the book engaging section 58 to engage the upper face of the lower edge of the book cover 62, as shown in Figure 11 in dotted lines and in full lines in Figure 13. In this way, the book will be firmly held in position against accidental displacement and the clamping section 58 may be readily disengaged from the book merely by a pull upon the handle 59, and as soon as the handle is released the springs 6| will draw the clamping section 58 to a clamping position.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the reading desk or book ledge may be conveniently adjusted with respect to the lamp supporting tray 26 and a lamp of any suitable or desired type indicated by the dotted lines and also by the numeral 63 may be supported upon the tray 26. The standard 2| may also be adjusted to suit the desired height, and by mounting the lamp supporting tray 26 for lateral shifting movement, the lamp supporting tray being held against rotating movement upon the arm 25 and the desk or book ledge 36 being mounted for swinging movement upon the arm, a proper angular adjustment of the desk or book ledge may be obtained.

It should be understood that certain detail changes in the mechanical construction, combination or arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

1. A device of the class described comprising a supporting member, an anchoring member reciprocably mounted upon said supporting member, spring means carried by said supporting member and engaging said anchoring member for normally holding the anchoring member in one position and permitting the shifting of the anchoring member to another position, the spring means holding the anchoring member against rotation upon said supporting member, said anchoring member having a projecting locking arm, a reading desk journaled for rotating movement upon said supporting member, said reading desk having a rack for engagement with said locking arm,

said rack having a plurality of apertures arranged on the arc of a circle for receiving said locking arm whereby said reading desk may be held in an adjusted angular position upon said supporting member, said anchoring member constituting a lamp supporting tray and a tubular portion -tting around said supporting member and housing said spring means, said spring means embodying a collar fixed on said supporting member and a compression spring, the tubular portion being longitudinally slotted and said collar having a pin working in said slot for permitting the longitudinal shifting of the tubular portion with respect to the supporting member and at the same time holding the tubular portion against rotation upon said supporting member.

2, A device of the class described comprising a support, a reading desk carried thereby, said reading desk comprising a plurality of laterally adjustable sections, track rails carried by the sides of the reading desk, and a removable plate removably engaging said track rails.

3. A device of the class described comprising a support, a reading desk carried thereby, said reading desk comprising a plurality of laterally adjustable sections, track rails carried by the ysides of the reading desk, a book supporting plate adapted to be detachably secured upon said reading desk, and said book supporting plate having a depending frame carrying longitudinally extending track members for fitting in said track rails of said reading desk whereby said book supporting plate may be detachably supported upon said reading desk. l

4. A device of the class described comprising a supporting member, a reading desk carried thereby, a book edge engaging clamp carried by said reading desk comprising a base member and a clamping section, means carried by the base member and engaging the clamping section for hingedly securing the clamping section upon said base member, and means for bodily moving said clamping member away from said base member.

5. A device of the class described comprising a reading desk, a book edge engaging clamp carried by said reading desk, said book engaging clamp comprising a base, a clamping section, a hinging rod secured to the base, said hinging rod having angularly bent end portions, said clamping member being slidably mounted upon said angularly bent end portions whereby the clamping member may be hinged upon the base member and also bodily moved away from said base member, an operating handle carried by the clamping member, and spring means for normally drawing the clamping member to a clamping position with respect to the base.

6. A device of the class described comprising a supporting rod normally extending in a substantially horizontal position, journals carried by said rod, a reading desk carried by the journals, said reading desk comprising a plate having a longitudinally extending bead portion, said journals having sockets for receiving said beaded portion for facilitating the anchoring of the desk upon the journals, and book supporting means carried by the desk.

7. A device of the class described comprising a supporting member, an anchoring member reciprocably mounted upon said supporting member, a spring carried by the supporting member, means anchored upon said supporting member and engaging said anchoring member whereby said anchoring member will be held against rotation upon said supporting member and at the same time may have reciprocating movement upon the supporting member, a projecting locking arm carried by said anchoring member, a desk rotatably mounted upon said supporting member, means for limiting the rotating movement of the desk upon said supporting member, said desk having a rack provided with a plurality of sockets arrangedl in alignment to receive said projecting locking arm whereby said desk may be held in an adjusted angular position with respect to said anchoring member.

8. A device of the class described comprising a support, a reading desk mounted for rotary movement and longitudinal adjustment upon said support wherein the angular position of said desk may be adjusted, means for holding said reading desk in an adjusted angular position upon said support, and means for locking said desk in an adjusted position with respect to the length of said support and also limiting the rotary movement of said desk upon said support.

ROBERT C. BURNLEY. 

